The Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) sector in

Jamaica Jamaica is an island country in the Caribbean Sea and the West Indies. At , it is the third-largest island—after Cuba and Hispaniola—of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean. Jamaica lies about south of Cuba, west of Hispaniola (the is ...

is guided by two primary institutions—the National Commission on Science and Technology (NCST) and the Scientific Research Council (SRC). Both operate under the direction of the Ministry of Science, Energy, and Technology.

History

Science and technology Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is an umbrella term used to group together the distinct but related technical disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The term is typically used in the context of ...

has a longstanding history. In 1879, the

Governor A governor is an politician, administrative leader and head of a polity or Region#Political regions, political region, in some cases, such as governor-general, governors-general, as the head of a state's official representative. Depending on the ...

created the

Institute of Jamaica The Institute of Jamaica (IOJ), founded in 1879, is the country's most significant cultural, artistic and scientific organisation:

Science and technology policy

Background and Early Challenges

Since gaining independence in 1962, Jamaica has pursued national development through industrialization, education reform, and public sector modernization. Science, technology, and innovation (STI) have gradually emerged as strategic tools to support these efforts—particularly in improving productivity, expanding infrastructure, and enhancing service delivery. In 1990, the government formalized its commitment to STI through the National Science and Technology Policy, which laid important groundwork for integrating innovation into key sectors. Yet in the decades that followed, systemic challenges—such as limited funding and fragmented governance—undermined progress. Since 2019, however, the government has renewed its commitment through a series of updated policies and national strategies aimed at modernizing infrastructure, increasing investment, and more effectively integrating STI into Jamaica’s development priorities. The overarching goal is to position the country as a more influential player in the fields of information technology and scientific innovation.

National Development Strategy and Digital Infrastructure

In 2009, Jamaica launched Vision 2030, a national development plan aimed at positioning the country to attain developed status by 2030. Among its key goals, National Outcome 11—“A Technology-Enabled Society”—emphasizes the use of digital innovation and technological advancement as drivers of sustained economic prosperity. To advance this vision, the government has introduced a range of national policies aimed at building and strengthening Jamaica’s digital capabilities and the frameworks that support technology-driven development. A key policy is the National Broadband Initiative, introduced in December 2020, which seeks to achieve universal access to high-speed internet by 2025, positioning connectivity as a public good. As of 2021, approximately 77% of the population had broadband coverage, with ongoing efforts to bridge the remaining gap. Complementing this, the Public Wi-Fi Hotspot Programme, led by the Universal Service Fund, has dramatically expanded from just 13 hotspots in 2021 to over 380 by mid-2025. These hotspots offer free public internet access and now serve hundreds of thousands of users across major townships and underserved communities, reinforcing the government’s commitment to digital inclusion. Together with the Data Protection Act, 2020—which came into effect in December 2023 to provide a legal foundation for responsible data management—these initiatives form a cohesive strategy to build digital trust, expand access, and enable innovation across sectors. Further reforms introduced between 2021 and 2025 focused on strengthening research capacity, public-private collaboration, and digital readiness. Key initiatives included the updated STI Policy (2022–2026), the National Digital Transformation Strategy, open data expansion, and education recommendations targeting STEM learning and infrastructure. Notably, the Coding in Schools Programme—initially piloted in 2021 and now integrated into the national curriculum—aims to equip students from an early age with foundational skills in logic, creativity, and digital problem-solving. In parallel, the Amber HEART Coding Academy was launched in 2021 as a public-private partnership between the government and the Amber Group, offering intensive year-long residential training in software development and internships with industry professionals. Alongside this, the STEM Ambassador Programme, led by the government’s Scientific Research Council, connects students with industry professionals and retirees who offer mentorship, career talks, and workshop support to foster long-term interest in science and technology. Workforce development was also advanced through the Global Services Sector Project (2019–2024), which enhanced post-secondary training systems and supported the transition into high-value digital occupations.

Intellectual Property Protection

Jamaica ranks among the top intellectual property (IP) protection regimes in Latin America and the Caribbean, securing fourth place in the 2024 International Property Rights Index. In January 2020, Parliament passed the Patents and Designs Act — a sweeping reform of the nation’s IP laws — which came into effect in February 2022. This overhaul replaced the Patent Act of 1857 and the Designs Act of 1937, both of which had remained largely unchanged for over a century. The Patents and Designs Act streamlines industrial design protection with a single-language, unified application process and a simplified fee structure, easing access to global IP systems. It also aligns with international treaties, including the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and the Hague Agreement, enabling Jamaican inventors and designers to secure protection across multiple jurisdictions. By bolstering legal safeguards for creators, the Act aims to foster innovation, promote creativity, and support product development. The Hon.

Pearnel Charles Jr Pearnel Patroe Charles Jr. is a Jamaican politician and attorney. Charles has been the Minister of Labour and Social Security since May 22, 2023. He was Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries in January 2022. He was formerly Minister of Housin ...

., who led the reform, emphasized its alignment with global standards.

Nuclear Science and Regulatory Institutions

Jamaica has successfully operated a 20 kW SLOWPOKE-2 nuclear reactor since the early 1980s—the only facility of its kind in the Caribbean. Managed by the International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (ICENS) at the University of the West Indies (UWI), the reactor supports neutron activation analysis across a wide range of disciplines. These include environmental monitoring, geochemical mapping, food composition studies, human health research, and agricultural investigations such as soil composition and trace element analysis that inform land use and crop management strategies. In late 2020, Jamaica launched its Hazardous Substances Regulatory Authority (HSRA), becoming the first English-speaking Caribbean nation to establish an independent body dedicated to overseeing the safe and secure operation of facilities involving

ionizing radiation Ionizing (ionising) radiation, including Radioactive decay, nuclear radiation, consists of subatomic particles or electromagnetic waves that have enough energy per individual photon or particle to ionization, ionize atoms or molecules by detaching ...

and

nuclear technology Nuclear technology is technology that involves the nuclear reactions of atomic nucleus, atomic nuclei. Among the notable nuclear technologies are nuclear reactors, nuclear medicine and nuclear weapons. It is also used, among other things, in s ...

, including the SLOWPOKE reactor. Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce,

Audley Shaw Audley Shaw CD MP (born 13 June 1952) is a Jamaican politician. He currently serves as Minister of Transport & Mining since January 2022. Prior to this appointment he served as the Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce from September ...

, remarked that the move would allow Jamaica to "confidently forge ahead with engaging nuclear science and technology in all aspects of national development and wealth creation strategies". Building on this foundation, in 2024 Jamaica signed a memorandum of understanding with

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL, Énergie atomique du Canada limitée, EACL) is a Canadian Crown corporation and the largest nuclear science and technology laboratory in Canada. AECL developed the CANDU reactor technology starting in th ...

to explore the use of small modular reactors (SMRs) as a long-term solution to high energy costs and fossil fuel dependence. While deployment remains a long-term prospect, the move reflects a strategic effort to integrate advanced nuclear technologies into Jamaica’s energy and industrial policy—aligning with Vision 2030 goals to enhance energy security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support sustainable economic development through science, technology, and innovation. Despite its strategic potential, SMR development poses challenges including high upfront costs, complex licensing frameworks, and the need for robust disaster-resilient infrastructure, given Jamaica’s exposure to hurricanes and other natural hazards. Ongoing consultation with the HSRA and international partners aims to address these concerns through phased research and capacity-building.

Renewable Energy

While nuclear energy remains a long-term ambition, Jamaica is actively expanding

renewable electricity Renewable energy (also called green energy) is energy made from renewable natural resources that are replenished on a human timescale. The most widely used renewable energy types are solar energy, wind power, and hydropower. Bioenergy and ...

through solar, wind, and hydropower. Key projects include: Wigton Windfarm – Located in

Manchester Manchester () is a city and the metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England. It had an estimated population of in . Greater Manchester is the third-most populous metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, with a population of 2.92&nbs ...

, it is the largest wind energy facility in the English-speaking Caribbean, with a capacity of 63 MW. Paradise Park Solar Farm – A 51 MWp solar facility in Westmoreland, among the region’s largest, generating over 80 GWh annually. Maggotty Hydropower Plant – A 7.2 MW hydro station commissioned in 2014, complementing solar and wind efforts. Regarding policy direction, the Electricity (Net Billing) Regulations, 2022 established a legal framework for households and businesses to sell excess solar power to the grid via standard offer contracts with the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), approved by the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR). This mechanism enables self-generators to receive credit for surplus electricity exported to the grid, supporting distributed renewable energy adoption. This was followed by Cabinet approval of the Integrated Resource Plan 2 (IRP-2) in November 2024—a national roadmap prioritizing solar, wind, hydro, and battery storage technologies to achieve 50% renewable electricity by 2030. IRP-2 outlines procurement targets, transmission upgrades, and investment incentives to support both utility-scale and distributed renewable energy projects.

Evidence of Policy Impact

While Jamaica’s output in science, technology, and innovation (STI) remains modest—reflected in its 79th-place ranking out of 133 economies on the 2024

Global Innovation Index The Global Innovation Index is an annual ranking of countries by their capacity for and success in innovation, published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). It was started in 2007 by INSEAD and ''World Business'', a Britis ...

—recent developments suggest that STI policies are beginning to yield tangible results. Jamaica's

software Software consists of computer programs that instruct the Execution (computing), execution of a computer. Software also includes design documents and specifications. The history of software is closely tied to the development of digital comput ...

industry is gaining momentum, supported by targeted government policies and the emergence of a local tech ecosystem. Programmes like Coding in Schools and Amber HEART Coding Academy are advancing this growth—cultivating skilled talent and boosting coding expertise. By early 2024, nearly 500 graduates had completed Amber’s program, with plans to train 20,000 participants within five years. These initiatives are broadening access to digital education and supporting Jamaica’s emerging tech landscape. Meanwhile, the global services industry is steadily diversifying beyond traditional business process outsourcing (BPO), expanding into knowledge process outsourcing (KPO), IT support, healthcare, cybersecurity, finance, and data analytics. This transformation aligns with the Global Digital Services Sector Project (2021–2025), which prioritizes higher-value service roles and digital transformation. International recognition of Jamaican tech talent is also increasing. For example, BairesDev reported a 2,100% increase in hires from Jamaica between 2020 and 2022, citing the country’s expanding pool of developers and engineers trained through national programmes. Platforms such as The Hive Careers are helping engineers and developers access global opportunities through certifications, job matching, and flexible work arrangements.' Jamaica’s renewable energy sector is advancing steadily. By early 2024, 436 solar systems were licensed under the Electricity (Net Billing) Regulations, 2022, adding 8.5 MW of distributed capacity to the grid. Following Cabinet approval of the Integrated Resource Plan 2 (IRP-2) in November 2024, 99.83 MW of new solar capacity was competitively secured, with contracts awarded to Wigton Energy and Sunterra Energy Jamaica. By year-end, total installed renewable capacity reached 188 MW, representing 10–15% of national electricity generation. Jamaica’s progress is reflected in its

Bloomberg Bloomberg may refer to: People * Daniel J. Bloomberg (1905–1984), audio engineer * Georgina Bloomberg (born 1983), professional equestrian * Michael Bloomberg (born 1942), American businessman and founder of Bloomberg L.P.; politician a ...

NEF Climatescope ranking, climbing eight spots to 39th globally and securing 10th place in Latin America and the Caribbean for renewable energy investment attractiveness. Taken together, these developments offer growing evidence that STI policies are beginning to deliver measurable outcomes in driving digital transformation and economic diversification. If sustained, this trajectory could position the country as a more significant presence in the fields of information technology and scientific innovation.

Expenditure on research and development

Public Investment

Jamaica’s investment in research and development (R&D) has long lagged behind global benchmarks, constrained by fiscal limitations and structural inefficiencies. In 2002, national R&D expenditure stood at just 0.06% of GDP—far below the global average of 2.03% at the time. Although this figure rose to 0.7% by 2018, the gap remained substantial, as the global average had climbed to approximately 2.2% of GDP. A pivotal shift occurred in 2019 with the introduction of dedicated public funding for R&D— made possible by improved economic conditions following years of reform and consolidation. These efforts reduced public debt, restored investor confidence, and created room in the national budget for more strategic investment in science and technology. In 2020, R&D expenditure was formally incorporated into the calculation of Jamaica’s GDP—a decision Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke described as a step toward stimulating research investment and reinforcing the sector’s role in national innovation. By the 2023/24 fiscal year, the government had allocated J$834.9 million to R&D, marking a 6% increase over the previous year. This included targeted funding for the Scientific Research Council to upgrade its analytical laboratories, expand testing capacity, and shorten turnaround times. While still below the national target of 1.5% of GDP, the increase reflected a sustained commitment to enhancing Jamaica’s research infrastructure and innovation capacity.

Private Sector Participation and Incentives

Private sector expenditure on R&D remains modest and unevenly documented. Available data suggest that private firms contribute a limited share, primarily in sectors such as agriculture, food processing, and digital service. A 2019 editorial in ''

The Gleaner ''The Gleaner'' is an English-language, morning daily newspaper founded by two brothers, Jacob and Joshua de Cordova on 13 September 1834 in Kingston, Jamaica. It is the oldest continuously published newspaper in the Western Hemisphere. Original ...

'' estimated Jamaica’s total R&D spending at approximately 0.3% of GDP at the time—well below regional and global benchmarks—and noted the absence of systematic data on firm-level investment. Recent policy initiatives—including targeted fiscal incentives, innovation grants, and broader investment reforms outlined in the National Investment Policy (2022), which prioritizes innovation-driven sectors—aim to stimulate greater private sector participation in applied research and product development.

Scientific publications

Caricom scientists have a modest output in terms of scientific research papers. Between 2017–2019, CARICOM researchers primarily focused on

health sciences The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to health sciences: Health sciences – those sciences that focus on health, or health care, as core parts of their subject matter. Health sciences relate to multiple a ...

, with Jamaica accounting for over 20% of published articles in that field. In terms of research density, Jamaica produced 114 publications per million inhabitants in 2019. Between 2014 and 2016, Jamaica ranked 4th in terms of average of relative citations (1.36). In terms of scientific co-authorship, between 2017 and 2019, Jamaica produced 379 publications in collaboration with the US, 118 with UK, 95 with Canada, 52 with France and 51 with Mexico.

Science activities

Notable activities aimed at promoting science and innovation include: Science Resource Centre & Innovation Laboratory: Opened in 2018, this facility supports the development of revenue-generating clean technology enterprises across the region. It is the first of its kind in the Caribbean. Public

Wi-Fi Wi-Fi () is a family of wireless network protocols based on the IEEE 802.11 family of standards, which are commonly used for Wireless LAN, local area networking of devices and Internet access, allowing nearby digital devices to exchange data by ...

Hotspot Programme: As of 2025, more than 380 public Wi-Fi hotspots have been established across Jamaica, providing free internet access and supporting digital inclusion initiatives. Science and Technology Fairs: These events offer students and researchers a platform to showcase innovations and engage the public in scientific exploration and learning. Innovation and Invention Competitions: Jamaica encourages grassroots innovation through national competitions that promote creativity, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship. These include the National Innovation Competition, organized by the National Commission on Science and Technology, as well as youth-focused invention challenges supported by public agencies and private sector partners. Such initiatives aim to identify promising ideas, support commercialization, and foster a culture of innovation aligned with national development goals.

Institutions

Jamaica is home to several institutions that contribute to the country’s scientific, technical, and professional research capacity: *

Medical Association of Jamaica The Medical Association of Jamaica evolved from the British Medical Association Jamaica Branch which was constituted as the first overseas branch of the British Medical Association in 1877. It has over 2000 members, including students. The Associa ...

(est. 1877) — Offers a range of services including continuing medical education, seminars, and professional development workshops. *

Institute of Jamaica The Institute of Jamaica (IOJ), founded in 1879, is the country's most significant cultural, artistic and scientific organisation:University of the West Indies The University of the West Indies (UWI), originally University College of the West Indies, is a public university system established to serve the higher education needs of the residents of 18 English-speaking countries and territories in t ...

, Mona (est. 1948) — Hosts faculties of medical sciences and natural sciences, contributing to academic research and regional training. * Geological Society of Jamaica (est. 1955) — Supports

earth science Earth science or geoscience includes all fields of natural science related to the planet Earth. This is a branch of science dealing with the physical, chemical, and biological complex constitutions and synergistic linkages of Earth's four spheres ...

research and professional development across government, academia, and industry. *

University of Technology, Jamaica The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Ja.), formerly the College of Arts, Science and Technology, is a public university in Jamaica. History The university was founded as the Jamaica Institute of Technology in 1958. The following y ...

(originated as the Jamaica Institute of Technology in 1958) — Engages in applied research, particularly in engineering, computing, and architecture. * Scientific Research Council (est. 1960) — Based in Kingston, it coordinates national scientific research and fosters innovation in areas such as biotechnology and food science. *Sugar Industry Research Institute (est. 1973) — Conducts research on agricultural technologies and practices to enhance sugar cane production. *

Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute The Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) carries out research and development for agriculture in the Caribbean region. Its headquarters are on the campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), at St. Augustine in T ...

(est. 1975) — Serves the wider Caribbean region in agricultural research and innovation. *International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (est. 1984) — Operated by the University of the West Indies, Mona, ICENS manages the SLOWPOKE-2 research reactor and conducts multidisciplinary research in areas such as environmental geochemistry, climate change, and marine ecosystems. It supports neutron activation analysis for studies in health, agriculture, and the environment, and plays a key role in education and training in applied nuclear science. *Caribbean Institute for Health Research (est. 1999) — Formerly the Tropical Medicine Research Institute, it is based at the University of the West Indies, Mona, and conducts multidisciplinary research on child development, nutrition, chronic diseases, and sickle cell disease. The institute comprises four major units—including the Tropical Metabolism Research Unit and the Sickle Cell Unit—and emphasises translating research into policy and practice. Its programmes, such as Reach Up, have been adopted in multiple countries, and its work has informed national health policies, school feeding initiatives, and chronic disease prevention strategies across the Caribbean

Recognition and awards

Evan Dale Abel at National Institutes of Health

''See also: List of Jamaicans - Science and medicine'' The following is a selection of scientists of Jamaican heritage who have received international awards and distinctions for their contributions to science, technology, and innovation: * Evan Dale Abel – Awarded the Fred Conrad Koch Lifetime Achievement Award (2024), the highest honour of the Endocrine Society, for pioneering research on diabetes and cardiovascular disease. * Simone Badal-McCreath – Received the Elsevier Foundation Award for Early Career Women Scientists in the Developing World for her groundbreaking cancer research. * Walt W. Braithwaite – Honoured with the Black Engineer of the Year Award for leadership in aerospace engineering and digital innovation at

Boeing The Boeing Company, or simply Boeing (), is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, and missiles worldwide. The company also provides leasing and product support s ...

. The Walt W. Braithwaite Legacy Award, established in his name, continues to recognize excellence in engineering leadership. * Anthony Chen – Contributing member of the

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is an intergovernmental body of the United Nations. Its job is to "provide governments at all levels with scientific information that they can use to develop climate policies". The World Met ...

(IPCC), jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (2007) for advancing global awareness of climate change; recognized for his leadership in Caribbean climate science and founding the Climate Studies Group Mona at the University of the West Indies. * Patricia DeLeon – Received the U.S.

Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring The Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) is a Presidential award established by the United States White House in 1995. The program is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on ...

, the top U.S. award for scientific mentorship. *

Bertram Fraser-Reid Bertram Oliver "Bert" Fraser-Reid (23 February 1934 – 25 May 2020) was a Jamaican synthetic organic chemist who has been widely recognised for his work using carbohydrates as starting materials for chiral materials and on the role of oligosac ...

– Reportedly nominated for the

Nobel Prize in Chemistry The Nobel Prize in Chemistry () is awarded annually by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences to scientists in the various fields of chemistry. It is one of the five Nobel Prizes established by the will of Alfred Nobel in 1895, awarded for outst ...

(1998) for his research on oligosaccharides and immune response. * Thomas Lecky – Appointed an

Officer of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...

(OBE) for his development of the Jamaica Hope breed and transformative work in tropical agriculture. * Henry Lowe – Honoured by the

U.S. House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives is a chamber of the bicameral United States Congress; it is the lower house, with the U.S. Senate being the upper house. Together, the House and Senate have the authority under Article One of th ...

with a formal proclamation for contributions to science, innovation, and public service. * Judith Mendes and Arnoldo Ventura – Honoured with the prestigious International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA) 2020 awards, making Jamaica the first country to win in both categories in a single year. * Geoff Palmer – Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for services to science, human rights, and charity, and later inducted into the

Order of the Thistle The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle is an order of chivalry associated with Scotland. The current version of the order was founded in 1687 by King James VII of Scotland, who asserted that he was reviving an earlier order. The ...

, Scotland’s highest civilian honour. He also became only the fourth person ever to receive the

American Society of Brewing Chemists American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, ...

Award of Distinction, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of brewing,” for his invention of the barley abrasion process that revolutionized the industry. *

Mercedes Richards Mercedes Tharam Richards (Kingston, 14 May 1955 – Hershey, 3 February 2016), née Davis, was a Jamaican astronomy and astrophysics professor. Her investigation focused on computational astrophysics, stellar astrophysics and exoplanets and br ...

– Awarded the Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Research (2010–2011), one of the most prestigious posts in the

Fulbright Program The Fulbright Program, including the Fulbright–Hays Program, is one of several United States cultural exchange programs with the goal of improving intercultural relations, cultural diplomacy, and intercultural competence between the people ...

, for her work on binary stars. The Professor Mercedes T. Richards Award, established in her name, honours excellence in undergraduate astronomy research. * Manley West – Received the Certificate of Merit from the Government of Canada for co-developing Canasol, one of the world’s first cannabis-derived glaucoma medication. *

Cicely Williams Cicely Delphine Williams, OM, CMG, FRCP (2 December 1893 – 13 July 1992) was a Jamaican physician, most notable for her discovery and research into kwashiorkor, a condition of advanced malnutrition, and her campaign against the use of swee ...

– Awarded the

James Spence Medal James Spence Medal is a medal that was first struck in 1960, six years after the death of the paediatrician James Calvert Spence and is awarded for outstanding contributions to the advancement or clarification of paediatric knowledge and is the hi ...

(UK) for discovering

kwashiorkor Kwashiorkor ( , is also ) is a form of severe protein malnutrition characterized by edema and an enlarged liver with fatty infiltrates. It is thought to be caused by sufficient calorie intake, but with insufficient protein consumption (or lac ...

, and became the first woman Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Medicine. She also received the Ceres Medal from the

World Health Organization The World Health Organization (WHO) is a list of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations which coordinates responses to international public health issues and emergencies. It is headquartered in Gen ...

for her contributions to maternal and child health.

Contributions

''See also: List of Jamaican inventions and discoveries'' Those of Jamaican heritage have made numerous contributions across diverse fields of science and technology—including medicine, computing, climate science, chemistry astronomy, and astrophysics. Notable examples include:

Medicine and Health

The discovery of

Kwashiorkor Kwashiorkor ( , is also ) is a form of severe protein malnutrition characterized by edema and an enlarged liver with fatty infiltrates. It is thought to be caused by sufficient calorie intake, but with insufficient protein consumption (or lac ...

–

identified and named Kwashiorkor, a severe form of protein-energy malnutrition, and developed a treatment plan that saved countless lives. Her pioneering work corrected widespread misdiagnoses and helped reshape global understanding of pediatric malnutrition. She also fundamentally changed the global approach to the care of mothers and children—shifting it from centralized institutions to community-based support led by auxiliaries and lay health workers. This model laid the groundwork for maternal and child health to become a formal discipline, now taught worldwide—from training colleges to leading universities. Cilazapril structure

The discovery of Monamycin – Jamaican chemist Kenneth Magnus discovered and co-synthesised the

antibiotic An antibiotic is a type of antimicrobial substance active against bacteria. It is the most important type of antibacterial agent for fighting pathogenic bacteria, bacterial infections, and antibiotic medications are widely used in the therapy ...

Monamycin from ''Streptomyces jamaicensis'', a bacterium found in Jamaican soil. Monamycin’s structural analysis led to the discovery of piperazic acids—rare amino acids that became key building blocks in the development of cilazapril, an

angiotensin-converting enzyme Angiotensin-converting enzyme (), or ACE, is a central component of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS), which controls blood pressure by regulating the volume of fluids in the body. It converts the hormone angiotensin I to the active vasocon ...

inhibitor (

ACE inhibitor Angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) are a class of medication used primarily for the treatment of high blood pressure and heart failure. This class of medicine works by causing relaxation of blood vessels as well as a decr ...

). Cilazapril was widely used to help patients manage high blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular risk. The piperazic acid framework has since influenced a range of medicines, including anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and immunosuppressant agents, underscoring its importance in modern medicinal chemistry. The development of ACRJ-PC28 – Simone Badal McCreath created the first Caribbean-derived prostate cancer cell line, addressing a critical gap by providing a model that better represents

African-Caribbean Afro-Caribbean or African Caribbean people are Caribbean people who trace their full or partial ancestry to Sub-Saharan Africa. The majority of the modern Afro-Caribbean people descend from the Africans (primarily from West and Central Africa) ta ...

genetics, historically underrepresented in cancer research. This breakthrough enables more accurate testing of cancer treatments for Black populations and marks a pivotal step toward equitable oncology research. The development of the Jaipur Knee – Jamaican-born engineer Joel Sadler was the primary inventor and project lead behind the Jaipur Knee, a groundbreaking prosthetic joint designed to restore mobility to above-knee amputees in low-resource settings. Developed during his graduate studies at Stanford University, the device uses a polycentric, four-bar linkage system made from oil-filled nylon—delivering durability, flexibility, and stability at a cost of around US$20. Created in partnership with the Jaipur Foot Organization in India, the Jaipur Knee was named one of ''

Time Time is the continuous progression of existence that occurs in an apparently irreversible process, irreversible succession from the past, through the present, and into the future. It is a component quantity of various measurements used to sequ ...

'' magazine’s best inventions of 2009. It has since been distributed across many countries including India, the Philippines, and Vietnam, enabling thousands of individuals to achieve greater mobility and independence. Pioneering Sickle Cell Treatments – Yvette Francis-McBarnette was the first to use prophylactic antibiotics in the treatment of children with

sickle cell anemia Sickle cell disease (SCD), also simply called sickle cell, is a group of inherited haemoglobin-related blood disorders. The most common type is known as sickle cell anemia. Sickle cell anemia results in an abnormality in the oxygen-carrying ...

, dramatically improving survival rates. Her clinic screened more than 20,000 schoolchildren, enabling early detection and lifelong management that significantly improved quality of life. Her early intervention model—screening children and placing them on continuous treatment—created a paradigm shift in how the disease was managed in the United States. Her influence extended to national policy through her role in shaping the 1972 National Sickle Cell Anemia Control Act, which institutionalized many of the practices she had already proven effective. Over time, her approach helped inform global best practices in sickle cell care, particularly in regions with high disease prevalence. In a separate but equally significant development, Jamaica established the only comprehensive sickle cell unit in the English-speaking Caribbean and has played a pioneering role in global sickle cell research and care. Based at the University of the West Indies, the Sickle Cell Unit led one of the world’s most influential cohort studies, shaping international understanding of the disease’s natural history. It was also among the first globally to introduce newborn screening in a low-resource setting and developed a day-care model for managing acute pain crises—now recognized as a best practice. The unit’s research has informed

WHO The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations which coordinates responses to international public health issues and emergencies. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and has 6 regional offices and 15 ...

and UN policies, while its training programmes have helped expand care across the Caribbean. Pioneering work on

diabetes mellitus Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a group of common endocrine diseases characterized by sustained hyperglycemia, high blood sugar levels. Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough of the hormone insulin, or th ...

– Errol Morrison was widely recognized as one of the first to characterize and elaborate on phasic (J-type) diabetes, a malnutrition-related form of diabetes mellitus first identified by

Philip Hugh-Jones Philip Hugh-Jones Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, FRCP (22 August 1917 – 1 June 2010) was a British respiratory physician and Medical Research Council (United Kingdom), Medical Research Council (MRC) researcher who during the Second ...

in Jamaica in 1955. Morrison’s research detailed its intermittent insulin dependence in young, lean individuals and linked it to pancreatic damage from chronic malnutrition or dietary toxins like cyanogenic glycosides in cassava, with evidence of impaired glucagon secretion. His work supported its recognition as part of malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus (MRDM) by the

and its reclassification as Type 5 diabetes by the

International Diabetes Federation The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is an umbrella organisation of over 240 national diabetes associations in more than 161 countries and territories. It is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. Organization IDF is divided into seven reg ...

in 2025, reflecting its distinct pathology. Morrison also established the Diabetes Association of Jamaica, a comprehensive care facility offering laser therapy, kidney dialysis, foot care, and pharmaceutical services. He also researched medicinal plants for their potential in diabetes management in the Caribbean. The development of the ‘Goffe’ strain – Alan Powell Goffe created this attenuated measles strain, also known as the ‘Beckenham’ strain, which became the foundation for numerous measles vaccines used worldwide. Goffe also played a key role in refining early polio vaccines, improving their safety for use in Britain and beyond. His scientific contributions were instrumental in advancing vaccines that protected millions from the devastating effects of polio and childhood measles. He was also among the first to conduct large-scale studies of human papillomavirus (HPV), laying critical foundations for its later recognition as a cause of

cervical cancer Cervical cancer is a cancer arising from the cervix or in any layer of the wall of the cervix. It is due to the abnormal growth of cells that can invade or spread to other parts of the body. Early on, typically no symptoms are seen. Later sympt ...

Computing

The invention of Lingo – John Henry Thompson created this high-level scripting language for

Adobe Director Adobe Director (formerly Macromedia Director, MacroMind Director, and MacroMind VideoWorks) was a multimedia application authoring platform created by Macromedia and managed by Adobe Systems until its discontinuation. Director was the primary ed ...

, enabling artists and developers to build animations, games, and interactive multimedia without needing deep programming expertise. Introduced in the late 1980s, Lingo became the backbone of interactive

CD-ROMs A CD-ROM (, compact disc read-only memory) is a type of read-only memory consisting of a pre-pressed optical compact disc that contains data computers can read, but not write or erase. Some CDs, called enhanced CDs, hold both computer data and a ...

, educational software, and early web content via

Shockwave In physics, a shock wave (also spelled shockwave), or shock, is a type of propagating disturbance that moves faster than the local speed of sound in the medium. Like an ordinary wave, a shock wave carries energy and can propagate through a me ...

. Thompson’s innovation helped democratize multimedia creation, bridging the gap between code and creativity, and laid the groundwork for modern interactive experiences in gaming, web design, and multimedia development.

CAD/CAM CAD/CAM refers to the integration of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM). Both of these require powerful computers. ''CAD'' software helps designers and draftsmen; ''CAM'' "reduces manpower costs" in the manufacturi ...

advancements and

IGES The Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) is a vendor-neutral List of file formats, file format that allows the CAD data exchange, digital exchange of information among computer-aided design (CAD) systems. It is an ASCII-based textual for ...

common data format – Walt W. Braithwaite provided the technical vision and leadership behind Boeing’s

data exchange format — directing its development and guiding the team with his expertise. As lead engineer for CAD/CAM integration, he implemented the Computer Integrated Information Network (CIIN), enabling fully digital aircraft design and significantly reducing development time and cost. His development of Boeing’s internal format and translation systems would ultimately serve as the groundwork for the Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES), a landmark standard that allowed CAD systems across industries to communicate and collaborate seamlessly. In recognition of his contributions, Braithwaite received the IGES/PDES Award in 1990 for leadership and outstanding technical achievement.

Chemistry

The armed–disarmed principle – Bertram Fraser-Reid developed this concept in the 1980s, significantly advancing carbohydrate chemistry by enabling selective glycosylation for efficient oligosaccharide synthesis. By distinguishing between “armed” and “disarmed” glycosyl donors, it facilitates the construction of complex sugars vital to vaccine development, including research on malaria and tuberculosis. His team also pioneered the manual synthesis of large and structurally complex oligosaccharides. This principle underpins many modern glycosylation strategies, influencing pharmaceutical development and glycobiology research. Metallocene catalysis – John Alexander Ewen developed a class of metallocene-based catalysts that gave manufacturers unprecedented control over the structure and properties of

polyolefins A polyolefin is a type of polymer with the general formula (CH2CHR)n where R is an alkyl group. They are usually derived from a small set of simple olefins ( alkenes). Dominant in a commercial sense are polyethylene and polypropylene. More specia ...

such as polyethylene and polypropylene. His innovations enabled the production of plastics that are stronger, heat-resistant, tear-proof, and transparent — transforming industries from packaging and automotive to medical devices and consumer goods. Ewen also formulated the Ewen Symmetry Rules, now considered a foundational guide for catalyst design in polymer chemistry. His work laid the groundwork for hundreds of patents and is credited with revolutionizing the global plastics industry, earning him the

National Medal of Technology The National Medal of Technology and Innovation (formerly the National Medal of Technology) is an honor granted by the president of the United States to American inventors and innovators who have made significant contributions to the development ...

— the highest U.S. honour in the field.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Pioneer of spectroscopic tomography in astronomy –

was the first to adapt medical imaging techniques to astronomy through spectroscopic tomography, a method that visualizes gas flow between stars in interacting binary systems. Her work helped advance research on Algol binaries and magnetic fields in stellar interactions, improving our understanding of how Sun-like stars influence the evolution of binary systems.

Food Science

Invention of the Barley Abrasion Process – Sir Geoff Palmer made transformative contributions to brewing science and cereal technology, pioneering research that redefined global understanding of grain processing. His landmark discovery—that enzymes critical to the malting process originate from the bran, not the germ—challenged longstanding assumptions and transformed how malt is produced for beer and spirits worldwide. He went on to invent the barley abrasion process, an industrial technique that improves malting efficiency by physically scuffing barley grains to stimulate enzyme activity. This method has been widely adopted across the British brewing industry, saving millions of pounds annually through faster production times and enhanced extract yields. Palmer was also the first scientist to apply scanning electron microscopy to analyze malt production, providing never-before-seen insights into the microstructure of grain modification. His scientific contributions have been widely adopted in commercial brewing and continue to shape modern practices in food science and grain processing.

Climate Science and Environmental Research

Jamaica has made significant contributions to

climate science Climatology (from Greek , ''klima'', "slope"; and , '' -logia'') or climate science is the scientific study of Earth's climate, typically defined as weather conditions averaged over a period of at least 30 years. Climate concerns the atmospher ...

. The Climate Studies Group, Mona (CSGM), established in 1994 at the University of the West Indies, is Jamaica’s leading institution for climate research. Founded by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Professor Anthony Chen, the group has produced over 200 peer-reviewed publications and trained more than 30 graduate students, advancing regional expertise in climate modeling and resilience planning. Among its key innovations are solar and wind energy mapping, statistical models for seasonal rainfall forecasting, and the Caribbean Climate Interactive Database—developments that laid the groundwork for practical tools such as dengue outbreak early warning systems, customized seasonal forecasting models, and the ''State of the Caribbean Climate Report 2020'', a resource widely used by Caribbean policymakers to guide climate adaptation and resilience strategies. CSGM researchers have played key roles in multiple Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports, including '' Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis'' and the '' Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C''. Their work has informed national and regional policies on disaster preparedness, agriculture, public health, and renewable energy. Through international collaborations and significant research funding, CSGM has positioned Jamaica as a key contributor to global climate science.

References

External links

National Commission on Science and Technology
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